12/16/2010

Quick Fix for the 2011 Stock Flared End Sections

The stock flared end sections are inlet-outlet structures. Unlike junction structures, inlet-outlet structures have the following characteristics:

The defined placement point attaches to the outside top of pipe.

Height of structure will not exceed SBSH.

SVPC value will raise the structure by that value over the top of the pipe.

The quick fix for these structures is to add twice the wall thickness of the pipe to each value on the list for SBSH (outside pipe diameter) and to zero out the SVPC value.

Hit the Save As button on the Content Builder. Save the part under a different name to maintain the original as backup. Be sure to double check the XML file for the revisions. You will find that the list values for SBSH were created but the SVPC value did not write out. Manually change the SVPC value.

Test the part on a pipe network.

After placing the revised part on the pipe network, here are the results.

Not exactly the desired results but it is important to understand why we see what we see. In the object viewer, we can render the pipe and get the following results:

What we are able to see in the plan and profile view is linework from the modifiers generated by the parametric profile and projection lines. The problem we have with modifiers created from circles is that the projection lines are generated in quadrants at 45, 135, 225, and 315 instead of at 0, 90, 180, and 270. This part would work for rendering in isometric view, but doesn't work for plan and profile views.

If the part is redefined using rectangular profiles in the two vertical planes instead of circular or arc profiles, the resulting projection lines displayed in both plan and profile view are far more acceptable. Keep in mind the part is dependent on SBSH defined in terms of outside pipe diameter.

The revised part in Part Builder is displayed below:

The revised part in Civil 3D in both plan and profile views is displayed below:

The revised part in object viewer is displayed below:

Remember some of the advantages to modeling structures in Part Builder:

Generates 3 dimensional representation of part that can be displayed in plan, profile, and section views.

Part size can be changed on demand which updates plan, profile, and section views simultaneously and automatically.

QTO pay items can be attached to each size of the part in the part list.